Synopses & Reviews
In 1868 Congress impeached President Andrew Johnson of Tennessee, the man who had succeeded the murdered Lincoln, bringing the nation to the brink of a second civil war. Enraged to see the freed slaves abandoned to brutal violence at the hands of their former owners, distraught that former rebels threatened to regain control of Southern state governments, and disgusted by Johnson's brawling political style, congressional Republicans seized on a legal technicality as the basis for impeachment -- whether Johnson had the legal right to fire his own secretary of war, Edwin Stanton.
The fiery but mortally ill Congressman Thaddeus Stevens of Pennsylvania led the impeachment drive, abetted behind the scenes by the military hero and president-in-waiting, General Ulysses S. Grant.
The Senate trial featured the most brilliant lawyers of the day, along with some of the least scrupulous, while leading political fixers maneuvered in dark corners to save Johnson's presidency with political deals, promises of patronage jobs, and even cash bribes. Johnson escaped conviction by a single vote.
David Stewart, the author of the highly acclaimed The Summer of 1787, the bestselling account of the writing of the Constitution, challenges the traditional version of this pivotal moment in American history. Rather than seeing Johnson as Abraham Lincoln's political heir, Stewart explains how the Tennessean squandered Lincoln's political legacy of equality and fairness and helped force the freed slaves into a brutal form of agricultural peonage across the South.
When the clash between Congress and president threatened to tear the nation apart, the impeachment process substituted legal combat for violent confrontation. Both sides struggled to inject meaning into the baffling requirement that a president be removed only for "high crimes and misdemeanors," while employing devious courtroom gambits, backstairs spies, and soaring rhetoric. When the dust finally settled, the impeachment process had allowed passions to cool sufficiently for the nation to survive the bitter crisis.
With the dramatic expansion of the powers of the presidency, and after two presidential impeachment crises in the last forty years, the lessons of the first presidential impeachment are more urgent than ever.
Review
"Riveting...Stewart vibrantly renders...the poisonous politics, the personal animosities and the unbridled corruption.... Likely to become the standard version of this historic clash between a president and Congress." -- andlt;iandgt;Kirkus Reviewsandlt;/iandgt; (starred)
Review
"David Stewart's Impeached is as riveting and rollicking as the best Washington novel. There is all kinds of intrigue -- from allegations of bribery by a 'whiskey ring,' to a cabinet secretary barricading himself in his office, to an incoming vice president giving a drunken tirade on Inauguration Day -- all played out at a deadly serious time, with the Union hanging in the balance. Only it's not a novel; it's Stewart's meticulously researched re-rendering of a time in our history that, he argues persuasively, has been distorted to turn a racist and incompetent Andrew Johnson and his anti-impeachment supporters into courageous defenders of Abe Lincoln's legacy." -- Steven Brill, author of andlt;iandgt;The Teamstersandlt;/iandgt; and andlt;iandgt;Afterandlt;/iandgt;; founder of The American Lawyer and Court TV
Review
"Anyone who thinks American politics has lately been at a high level of viciousness should read this gripping story of Andrew Johnson's impeachment trial. There are fewer angels than we have thought, and more political hatred and knife work -- all with fundamental underlying issues of justice and race." -- Anthony Lewis, formerandlt;iandgt; New York Timesandlt;/iandgt; columnist and author of andlt;iandgt;Gideon's Trumpetandlt;/iandgt;
Review
"David O. Stewart's "Impeached" is the fullest recounting we have of the high politics of that immediate post-Civil War period. As the author astutely tells us, the Constitution's impeachment clauses provide a complex legal remedy for enmity between Congress and the president....Stewart's graceful style and storytelling ability make for a good read. The author maintains interest by emphasizing the heavy drinking and hyperbolic oratory in an age of excess." -- andlt;iandgt;Washington Post andlt;/iandgt;
Review
"In his magnificent andlt;iandgt;Impeached: The Trial of President Andrew Johnson and the Fight for Lincoln's Legacyandlt;/iandgt;, David O. Stewart, author of the highly acclaimed andlt;iandgt;Summer of 1787andlt;/iandgt;, provides an extraordinary narrative that brings the many key players vividly to life while at the same time exhibiting an admirable clarity in discussing issues and events.... Stewart's book splendidly illuminates an important chapter in American history." -- andlt;iandgt;BookPageandlt;/iandgt;
Review
"A lucid and long-overdue reexamination...[Stewart] documents this remarkable tale of political bloodletting with skillful aplomb and insight. His grasp of legal complexities...is matched by a good eye for the human dimensions of this continuation of war by other means." -- andlt;iandgt;Christian Science Monitorandlt;/iandgt;
Review
"[T]he climax of a life-and-death struggle between Johnson and the "Radical Republicans" in Congress. At stake were competing visions of the path of Reconstruction....Stewart, an attorney, eloquently frames the issues and provides a stirring narrative of this dramatic conflict....The process of impeachment was characterized by hypocrisy and outright bribery." -- andlt;iandgt;Booklistandlt;/iandgt;
Review
"David O. Stewart's proven dexterity in handling detail, suspense and melodrama in matters of state are again present here. He brings impressive research to a bizarre episode in American history, the impeachment and trial of President Andrew Johnson, woven into such a vivid story that the reader is in the visitors' gallery. The story has high drama, low farce, unlikely comedy, a stellar cast, hubris, vanity and bad judgment. There is ambition, hostility, personal devotion, patriotism, betrayal and bribery." -- andlt;iandgt;Washington Timesandlt;/iandgt;
Review
"[A] sprightly, exhaustively researched, and highly readable account of a dark era in American history.... Stewart tells the story of the Senate trial with high drama, as gripping as any legal fiction...but all the more riveting because it is factual.... Put this one in your beach bag for summer." -- andlt;iandgt;Washington Lawyerandlt;/iandgt;
Synopsis
The acclaimed author recreates the impeachment trial of President Andrew Johnson--and the struggle to reform the country after the Civil War.
Synopsis
"The fullest recounting we have of the high politics of that immediate post-Civil War period...Stewart's graceful style and storytelling ability make for a good read." --Bruce Kuklick, The Washington Post
"Likely to become the standard version of this historic clash between a president and Congress." --Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Impeached is a fascinating account of the attempt to remove Andrew Johnson from the presidency. Vigorously written, it is by all means the best account of this troubled episode in our history." --David Herbert Donald, author of Lincoln
"Magnificent....Splendidly illuminates an important chapter in American history." --Roger Bishop, BookPage
"David Stewart's Impeached is as riveting and rollicking as the best Washington novel." --Steven Brill, author of The Teamsters and After; founder of The American Lawyer and Court TV
Synopsis
"Likely to become the standard version of this historic clash between a president and Congress." --Kirkus Reviews (starred review) After two presidential impeachment crises in the last forty years, and with the dramatic expansion of the powers of the presidency, the lessons of the first presidential impeachment are more urgent than ever.
In 1868 Congress impeached President Andrew Johnson of Tennessee, the man who had succeeded the murdered Lincoln, bringing the nation to the brink of a second civil war. Enraged to see the freed slaves abandoned to brutal violence at the hands of their former owners, distraught that former rebels threatened to regain control of Southern state governments, and disgusted by Johnson's brawling political style, congressional Republicans seized on a legal technicality as the basis for impeachment -- whether Johnson had the legal right to fire his own secretary of war, Edwin Stanton.
The fiery but mortally ill Congressman Thaddeus Stevens of Pennsylvania led the impeachment drive, abetted behind the scenes by the military hero and president-in-waiting, General Ulysses S. Grant.
The Senate trial featured the most brilliant lawyers of the day, along with some of the least scrupulous, while leading political fixers maneuvered in dark corners to save Johnson's presidency with political deals, promises of patronage jobs, and even cash bribes. Johnson escaped conviction by a single vote.
David Stewart, the author of the highly acclaimed The Summer of 1787, the bestselling account of the writing of the Constitution, challenges the traditional version of this pivotal moment in American history. Rather than seeing Johnson as Abraham Lincoln's political heir, Stewart explains how the Tennessean squandered Lincoln's political legacy of equality and fairness and helped force the freed slaves into a brutal form of agricultural peonage across the South.
When the clash between Congress and president threatened to tear the nation apart, the impeachment process substituted legal combat for violent confrontation. Both sides struggled to inject meaning into the baffling requirement that a president be removed only for "high crimes and misdemeanors," while employing devious courtroom gambits, backstairs spies, and soaring rhetoric. When the dust finally settled, the impeachment process had allowed passions to cool sufficiently for the nation to survive the bitter crisis.
Synopsis
With the impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump underway, Impeached by historian and Constitution expert David O. Sullivan recaps the landmark impeachment trial of President Andrew Johnson while also clearly explaining the trial process and responsibilities of the Executive, Judicial, and Legislative branches. In 1868 Congress impeached President Andrew Johnson of Tennessee, the man who had succeeded the murdered Lincoln, bringing the nation to the brink of a second civil war. Enraged to see the freed slaves abandoned to brutal violence at the hands of their former owners, distraught that former rebels threatened to regain control of Southern state governments, and disgusted by Johnson's brawling political style, congressional Republicans seized on a legal technicality as the basis for impeachment -- whether Johnson had the legal right to fire his own secretary of war, Edwin Stanton.
The fiery but mortally ill Congressman Thaddeus Stevens of Pennsylvania led the impeachment drive, abetted behind the scenes by the military hero and president-in-waiting, General Ulysses S. Grant.
The Senate trial featured the most brilliant lawyers of the day, along with some of the least scrupulous, while leading political fixers maneuvered in dark corners to save Johnson's presidency with political deals, promises of patronage jobs, and even cash bribes. Johnson escaped conviction by a single vote.
David Stewart, the author of the highly acclaimed The Summer of 1787, the bestselling account of the writing of the Constitution, challenges the traditional version of this pivotal moment in American history. Rather than seeing Johnson as Abraham Lincoln's political heir, Stewart explains how the Tennessean squandered Lincoln's political legacy of equality and fairness and helped force the freed slaves into a brutal form of agricultural peonage across the South.
When the clash between Congress and president threatened to tear the nation apart, the impeachment process substituted legal combat for violent confrontation. Both sides struggled to inject meaning into the baffling requirement that a president be removed only for "high crimes and misdemeanors," while employing devious courtroom gambits, backstairs spies, and soaring rhetoric. When the dust finally settled, the impeachment process had allowed passions to cool sufficiently for the nation to survive the bitter crisis.
Synopsis
Historian and Constitution expert David O. Stewart recaps the landmark impeachment trial of President Andrew Johnson. "The fullest recounting we have of the high politics of that immediate post-Civil War period...Stewart's graceful style and storytelling ability make for a good read." --The Washington Post In 1868 Congress impeached President Andrew Johnson of Tennessee, the man who had succeeded the murdered Lincoln, bringing the nation to the brink of a second civil war. Enraged to see the freed slaves abandoned to brutal violence at the hands of their former owners, distraught that former rebels threatened to regain control of Southern state governments, and disgusted by Johnson's brawling political style, congressional Republicans seized on a legal technicality as the basis for impeachment -- whether Johnson had the legal right to fire his own secretary of war, Edwin Stanton.
The fiery but mortally ill Congressman Thaddeus Stevens of Pennsylvania led the impeachment drive, abetted behind the scenes by the military hero and president-in-waiting, General Ulysses S. Grant.
The Senate trial featured the most brilliant lawyers of the day, along with some of the least scrupulous, while leading political fixers maneuvered in dark corners to save Johnson's presidency with political deals, promises of patronage jobs, and even cash bribes. Johnson escaped conviction by a single vote.
David Stewart, the author of the highly acclaimed The Summer of 1787, the bestselling account of the writing of the Constitution, challenges the traditional version of this pivotal moment in American history. Rather than seeing Johnson as Abraham Lincoln's political heir, Stewart explains how the Tennessean squandered Lincoln's political legacy of equality and fairness and helped force the freed slaves into a brutal form of agricultural peonage across the South.
When the clash between Congress and president threatened to tear the nation apart, the impeachment process substituted legal combat for violent confrontation. Both sides struggled to inject meaning into the baffling requirement that a president be removed only for high crimes and misdemeanors, while employing devious courtroom gambits, backstairs spies, and soaring rhetoric. When the dust finally settled, the impeachment process had allowed passions to cool sufficiently for the nation to survive the bitter crisis.
Synopsis
and#8220;The fullest recounting we have of the high politics of that immediate post-Civil War periodand#8230;Stewartand#8217;s graceful style and storytelling ability make for a good read.and#8221; and#8212;Bruce Kuklick, andlt;Iandgt;The Washington Post andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;/Iandgt;and#8220;Likely to become the standard version of this historic clash between a president and Congress.and#8221; andlt;Iandgt;and#8212;Kirkus Reviews andlt;/Iandgt;(starred review) andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;and#8220;andlt;Iandgt;Impeached andlt;/Iandgt;is a fascinating account of the attempt to remove Andrew Johnson from the presidency. Vigorously written, it is by all means the best account of this troubled episode in our history.and#8221; and#8212;David Herbert Donald, author of andlt;Iandgt;Lincoln andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;/Iandgt;and#8220;Magnificentand#8230;.Splendidly illuminates an important chapter in American history.and#8221; and#8212;Roger Bishop, andlt;Iandgt;BookPage andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;/Iandgt;and#8220;David Stewartand#8217;s andlt;Iandgt;Impeached andlt;/Iandgt;is as riveting and rollicking as the best Washington novel.and#8221; and#8212;Steven Brill, author of andlt;Iandgt;The Teamsters andlt;/Iandgt;and andlt;Iandgt;Afterandlt;/Iandgt;; founder of andlt;Iandgt;The American Lawyer andlt;/Iandgt;and Court TV
About the Author
andlt;bandgt;David O. Stewartandlt;/bandgt;andnbsp;turned to writing after more than a quarter century of law practice in Washington, D.C., defending accused criminals and challenging government actions as unconstitutional. His first book about the writing of the Constitution,andnbsp;andlt;iandgt;The Summer of 1787andlt;/iandgt;, grew out of Supreme Court case he was working on. It was aandlt;iandgt;Washington Postandlt;/iandgt;andnbsp;bestseller and won the Washington Writing Prize for Best Book of 2007.andnbsp;andlt;iandgt;Impeachedandlt;/iandgt;andnbsp;had its roots in a judicial impeachment trial Stewart defended before the United States Senate, in 1989, and then argued to the Supreme Court. His most recent book,andnbsp;andlt;iandgt;American Emperorandlt;/iandgt;,andnbsp;tells this astonishing tale, which traces Aaron Burrand#8217;s descent from made man to political pariah to imperialist adventurer. For more information about the author, go to DavidOStewart.com.andnbsp;